YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 263, 2 August 1941, Page 11

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Enlistment Of Members

. “The ipast year has been one of increasing handicaps and difficulties,” said Flying Officer E. W. Barnett, president of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, at the annual meeting of the federation in Hamilton this week. “The severest handicaps have been the shortage of petrol and the depletion of membership through military service.” A total of 140 clubs, still functioning, had a membership of a little more than 3500, said Flying Officer Barnett. Six new clubs were formed during the year, ,15 were completely disbanded, and 54 had gone into recess for the duration of the war. Approximately 2000 members, or more than 10 per cent, of the federation, had enlisted for overseas service, which was probably a record for any organization in New Zealand. The formation and successful carrying on of' the Young Farmers’ Club in Egypt gave an indication of the keenness of members, and their desire that the movement should thrive. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Grand patron, Sir Andrew Russell; patrons, Sir Robert Anderson, Sir Albert Ellis, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir William Perry, Sir Theodore Rigg, the Minister of Agriculture, the Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the president of the Royal Agricultural Society, Professor E. R. Hudson, Professor D. S. Peren and Mr. W. Goodfellow; Dominion president, Mr. D. S. Ross (Auckland) ; vice-president, Mr. W. R. Harris (Otago-S out bland) ; honorary treasurer, Mr. C. H. Schwoss (Department of Agriculture); honorary auditor, Mr. A. P. O’Shea.